Mish Mash

Hi Stampers!
Today I'm posting a card that I made to use a couple of different techniques.  First, I had the sewing machine out for a project that I was working on and wanted to try gather DSP using actual stitches.  I'm not in love with this so I will probably never do it again (never say never).  I just ran a row of very loose stitches up the middle of a strip of DSP and then gently gathered.

It gave a rumply ribbon type look.  The next thing I did was "suede" technique on the blue scallop circle punch.  To do this you crumple up your card stock and smooth it out several times.  If you have the crimper you can run it through that several times as well.  When you think you are crazy, rub it over the edge of the table several times.  What this eventually does is break down all the fibers in the card stock and you can pull it apart into 2 pieces that are very soft and sueded.  Is sueded not a word?  My spell checker does not like it but I'm keeping it.
I used Creative Elements stamp set, Midnight Muse and the new Raspberry card stock, Midnight Muse and Basic Black ink pad, Versamark ink pad, Scallop circle punch and 1 1/4" circle punch, an embossing folder, and Teeny Tiny wishes.
Thanks for stopping by!
Shop 24/7 by clicking HERE!http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx

Showering

Hi Stampers!
Yes, it's showering here today- pretty gloomy for summer weather but the lawn and garden are quite happy.  Actually, I'm happy to because I will spend some time in my stamp room using my new items that arrived this week.  I have several challenges I'm working on so you will see those soon.
For today I want to show you a card I made for a shower- fitting with the weather and all.  I actually missed the shower as we were out of town but I did want to give the lovely bride a small token to mark the day and of course, a card.

The bride's colors are not rose but the color made me happy (do we still call it rose romance?  I can't remember, I'll have to look it up).  Nope, Regal Rose, darn.  Rose Romance would be so much more poignant.  I used the Creative Element stamp set, a Shelli favorite, and Teeny Tiny wishes, a Mary favorite.  I stamped the flower 3 times and cut out two at smaller increments then sponged the edges to make the layers stand out a little more.  I then used dimensionals to give it more of a 3D look.
I used an embossing folder for the background and finished the card off with some pretty satin ribbon.
We now have a Sizzix die that will cut banners for different sizes- many that coordinate with stamps in the catalog.  At this point, as I don't have the die, I still cut my banners manually getting the banner edge using my square punch.  I get some flexibility with this method as I can make my banners any size up to the dimension of my punch.
Thanks for stopping by!
Shop 24/7 by clicking here!

sympathy

Hi Stampers!
Today I'm delivering on the promise of a tutorial!  I want to show you how to make the little stitches on a card without using a sewing machine.  This is such an easy fun technique you will want to try it!
The first step is to pull out your mat pack and paper piercing tool-

These are such great tools- they work great for punching holes for your brads and things and for rows of punching for special effects.  I like to use them for this stitching technique.  So, line up your card stock along the grid-

Next, punch your holes-

This is what it looks like-

Next, use this nice gel pen to make your stitches!

You need to look closely.
Here is my final project-

I stamped this card for the Technostamper monday sketch TSSC220.  I used the C is for Cat stamp set (soon to be retired) with the Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper.  The soft colors are soothing for a sympathy card- Marina Mist, Pirouette Pink, Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla.  The card came together with the addition of pearls and rhinestones, what could be better!
Thanks for stopping by!

Shop 24/7 by clicking HERE!
Check out the retiring stamps and accessories.
Want $125 worth of stamps and accessories for only $99?  Click here for more information.

Mom

Hi Stampers!
Today I wanted to join a challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, HSS Theme Challenge #113, all about Mom.  Mother's day is coming up and I want to be prepared!  This card will be for my MIL so don't tell...
To add the challenge I used a new to me color combo.  A customer recently emailed me that she was in a bind- she was making invitations and ran out of So Saffron, Bashful Blue, and Perfect Plum.  She had placed an order but didn't think it would arrive on time.  Could I help her out?  I did, and Sarah, I'd love to see what you came up with using this color combination.  I thought I should try it out!  Here is what I came up with:

As an aside, I used the color spritzer tool with my Perfect Plum marker, and I think this marker, of the old style, dates back to when I first purchased my Stampin' Write markers back in 1998!  These are some great markers!
I wanted to go for a shabby chic look, which I achieved with lots of layering and distressing.  I have found a great way to efficiently use my distressing tool.  Line up your card stock along the edge of your table letting it hang over the edge 1/4 to 1/2".  Hold card firmly and run the distressing tool over the edge very quickly without bending your card stock!  Go ahead and try it- it really works!
I used Field Flowers, Creative Elements, and Family reunion for my stampsets.
Thanks for stopping by!
Shop 24/7 by clicking here!
Field Flowers stamp set #122760w 122762c
Family Reunion stamp set #122710w 122712c
Creative Elements stamp se #122645w 122647c
So Safron card stock #105118
So Saffron stampin' pad #105213
Bashful Blue card stock #105120
Bashful Blue stampin' pad #105209
Perfect Plum card stock #101889
Perfect Plum stampin' pad #101437
Perfect Plum Stampin' write marker #100035
Basic Black Stampin' pad #101179
Whisper White card stock #100730
Vintage Trinkets #118764
Antique Brads #117273
Color Spritzer tool# 107066
Stampin' Sponges #101610
Mat Pack #105826
Paper Piercing tool #116631
Cutter Kit #106958 
Square punch #119865
Stampin' Dimensionals #104430
Snail adhesive #104332